How to Handle Unwanted Medicare Cold Calls
Unwanted Cold Calls FAQ
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No.
It is illegal for agents or brokers to call Medicare beneficiaries without your explicit permission.
They must have:
• A signed Permission to Contact (PTC) form, or
• A signed Scope of Appointment (SOA) form
Despite this, some agents start cold calling people turning 64, which is a violation of CMS rules.
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This form allows an agent or broker to initiate contact, but:
• It does not allow product discussions
• It’s valid for up to 90 days
• It’s meant for introductory conversations only
Before discussing any Medicare plan options, the agent must still collect a Scope of Appointment (SOA) form.
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The SOA is required before discussing any specific Medicare-related products, such as:
• Medicare Advantage (Part C)
• Part D drug plans
• Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
It allows you (or your Power of Attorney) to:
• Limit the conversation to specific products
• Protect yourself from pushy or misleading sales tactics
• It is valid for up to 12 months
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Be polite but firm. Ask the caller for:
• Their full name
• Their license number
• A copy of the signed Permission to Contact or SOA form
If they can’t provide this:
• Ask them to remove you from their list
• Tell them not to call again
• Let them know you’re prepared to report them
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• Scammers may pretend to be licensed, but they cannot provide the required forms
• Legitimate agents will be happy to send you their credentials and documentation
• You can verify licenses at: sircon.com
⚠️ Never share personal info (like Medicare or Social Security numbers) unless you’ve verified the person you’re speaking with.